Rakitovo

• The municipality lies in the southeastern part of the Chepino Valley, at an average elevation of 811 m.
• The railway stations of Tsepina, Dolene and Kostandovo are located within its territory.
• The Rakitovo mineral water deposit covers just under 3 km² of land in the towns of Rakitovo and Kostandovo.
• The thermal mineral waters reach temperatures of up to 50 °C and have a mineralisation of 0.36 g/l.
• In Dorkovo, the Pliocene Park presents finds from the Pliocene discovered in the area around the village.

Its location in the Western Rhodope Mountains and the Chepino Valley gives Rakitovo a distinct geographical setting. The municipality has an average elevation of 811 m. The Rakitovo mineral water deposit lies at an average elevation of 760 m. These two elevation figures refer to different areas: the municipality on the one hand and the deposit on the other.

The Batak Reservoir area is also part of the municipality’s wider regional surroundings. The reservoir has a storage capacity of 315 million m³ and a flooded area of 22 km². These figures describe the reservoir; they should not be confused with the mineral water deposit, which covers just under 3 km². Visitors exploring the region can thus understand the mountain setting, mineral water area and reservoir as distinct geographical points of reference.

The Tsepina Fortress stands above the village of Dorkovo, which belongs to the municipality. In Rakitovo itself, the clock tower is one of the landmarks. Both add further aspects of the municipality to the Pliocene Park’s palaeontological focus: a fortress above a village and a striking structure in the town that gives the municipality its name.

The Pliocene Park in Dorkovo displays finds from the Pliocene discovered at the palaeontological site in the area around the village. Its offerings include themed guided tours and an audio-visual presentation with sound, reproducing the calls of prehistoric animals. The park focuses on presenting the finds and the period to which they belong. If you are particularly interested in the history of the Earth, this visit offers a specific theme; the clock tower and fortress appeal to other interests.

The Rakitovo mineral water deposit covers just under 3 km² of land in the towns of Rakitovo and Kostandovo. The municipality’s thermal mineral waters reach temperatures of up to 50 °C, with a mineralisation of 0.36 g/l. Temperature and mineralisation describe different properties of the water.

Part of the Tsigov Chark holiday complex on the Batak Reservoir is also located within the territory of the municipality of Rakitovo. This is useful for orientation: both the holiday complex and the mineral water deposit are associated with areas in the municipality, but they are different places and relate to different topics. The information about the reservoir area adds regional context without suggesting that these locations are all in one place.

There are three railway stations within the municipality: Tsepina, Dolene and Kostandovo. The station names provide specific reference points for planning your journey.

To compare other destinations, you can also explore Bratsigovo, Strelcha, Septemvri, Velingrad, Pazardzhik and Lesichovo.

Where is Rakitovo?

The municipality of Rakitovo is located in the Western Rhodope Mountains, in the southeastern part of the Chepino Valley. Its average elevation is 811 m.

Which railway stations are within the municipality?

The railway stations of Tsepina, Dolene and Kostandovo are located there.

What does the Pliocene Park in Dorkovo show?

The park presents finds from the Pliocene discovered at the palaeontological site in the area around the village. It offers themed guided tours and an audio-visual presentation with sound.

What temperatures do the thermal mineral waters reach?

They reach temperatures of up to 50 °C. Their mineralisation is 0.36 g/l.

For the wider travel overview: Pazardzhik Province.